Clark: August 15, 1804

August 15th Wendesday I took ten men & went out to Beaver Dam across a
Creek about a mile S W from Camp, and with a Brush Drag caught 308 fish,
of the following kind (i’e) Pike, Samon, Bass, Pirch, Red horse, Small
Cat, & a kind of Perch Called on the Ohio Silverfish I also Caught the
Srimp which is Common to the Lower part of the Mississippi, in this Creek
& in the Beaver Pond is emince beads of Mustles Verry large & fatin
my absence Capt Lewis Send the Souex interpr & a party to a Smoke
which appeared to rise at no great distance to the north with a view to
find Some Band of that nation, they returned and informed that they had
been made Some time by Some Small party, and the hard wind of to day had
set the Prarie on fire from Some high trees, which was left burning all
well, Party from Ottoes not come up.

Camp three Miles N. E of the Mahar Village

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August 15th Wednesday 1804 I went with ten men to a Creek Damed by the
Beavers about half way to the Village, with Some Small willow & Bark
we mad a Drag and haulted up the Creek, and Cought 318 fish of different
kind i’e Peke, Bass, Salmon, perch, red horse, Small Cat, and a kind of
perch Called Silverfish, on the Ohio.I cought a Srimp prosisely of
Shape Size & flavour of those about N. Orleans & the lower party
of the Mississippi in this Creek which is only the pass or Streight from
Beaver Pond to another, is Crouded with large Mustles Verry fat, Ducks,
Pliver of different Kinds are on those Ponds as well as on the river in My
absence Capt. Lewis Sent Mr. Durioue the Souix interpeter & three men
to examine a fire which threw up an emence Smoke from the Praries on the
N. E. Side of the River and at no great distance from Campthe
Object of this party was to find Some Bands of Seouex which the inptr.
thought was near the Smoke and get them to Come inin the evening
this Party returned and infoermed, that the fire arrose from Some trees
which had been left burning by a Small party of Seoux whom had passed
Several Daysthe wind Setting from that point, blew the Smoke from
that pt. over our Camp. our party all in health and Sperrits the men Sent
to the Ottoes & in pursute of the Deserter Reed has not yet returned
or joined our party.